Pistol for distributing advertising projectiles



NOV. 5, 1935. M, 0. CLAUSE; 2,019,894-

PISTOL FOR DISTRIBUTING ADVERTISING PROJECTILES Filed June 12, 1935 .31 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PISTOL FOR DISTRIBUTING ADVERTISING PROJECTILES 8 Claims.

My invention relates to toys, the invention being more particularly related to toy pistols or shooters having the characteristic of a catapult and adapted to send forth or shoot forward projectiles or missiles of a large size for exhibiting advertising matter, pictures, legends, and the like.

One object and purpose of my invention is to provide an improved device of the character de- 1 scribed furnished with improved means whereby the large advertising projectiles, while under impelling force and before discharge, will be given a rapid rotary movement so that they will shoot forward along a substantially straight course for a considerable distance.

A feature of my present invention consists therein that the impelling element for giving the missile projectile force moves in a curvilinear path with respect to the sighting or discharging plane for the missile and while moving in such curvilinear path effects its complete withdrawal from the missile before the latter leaves the directing or guiding means to continue in motion by its own inertia.

Another object of my invention is to provide a pistol of such class, with mechanical parts so arranged and combined as to automatically effect the rotation and guidance of the missile being let off under impelling force; and further to provide a pistol which will be strong and durable, capable of withstanding hard usage, and which is composed of a minimum of parts, simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.

A still further object is to provide a pistol of the character described which will shoot missiles or projectiles in the form of large disks or the like, having obverse and reversesurfaces capable of bearing advertisements for the promotion of business, or of displaying messages, information or pictures in celebration of birthdays, holidays, and other events.

l A still further object of my invention is the provision of a construction involving features of the character specified which may be employed and combined to'provide a pistol which is readily foldable into a compact form, whereby to be conveniently carried in the pocket or stored in a small space.

With the foregoing and. other objects in view, my invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement'of parts so combined as to coact and cooperate with each other in the performance of the functions and accomplishment of the results herein contemplated.

With reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein I have illustrated one simple and practical example of my invention, as reduced to practice, and wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a pistol made in accordance with my invention, showing the impelling element set in position for discharging a missile; t

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear end view thereof;

Fig. 4 is another rear end view, but showing the pistol folded or in collapsed condition; 15.

Fig. is a top plan view of the pistol;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, showing the diskshaped' projectile for the pistol; and

Fig. 7 is a reverse view of the projectile.

Referring in detail to the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that the pistol is provided with a handle or stock 15, herein represented as comprising a skeleton structure composed of front and rear sections l6 and H integrally connected by a rounded bottom portion l8 and an upper cross-piece I9. Integrally connected with the top of the rear section I! is a main or top bar 20 which, although not a barrel, nevertheless in so far as its position is concerned with respect to the stock, serves in the toy pistol as the equiva- 3 lent of or substitute for the usual pistol barrel. It will be noted that the stock and top bar lie in the same plane with the bar extending forwardly from the top of the rear section l'l well beyond the top of the front section is, and further that the stock inclines with respect to the top bar at such an angle that when the stock is grasped by the hand in the customary way of holding a pistol, the top bar will, like the usual barrel of a pistol, be in a position to be aimed at an object or target. It may be remarked here that although in the present embodiment the stock is represented as comprising a skeleton structure, this is of course not essential, inasmuch as the stock may be made in any form suitable to .be grasped by the hand so that the top bar can be aimed at an object.

For the purposes 'of the present invention, I provide in association with the top bar a pivot,-

ally connected framework which is designated in general by the reference character a and is adapted to be moved into and out of a position in which it .forms at one side of the top bar and substantially in the plane thereof a rest whereon to place in connection with the top bar itself,

the missile or projectile which is to be discharged from the pistol. This frame is represented as made of wire and is so formed that when it is in projectile supporting position, one portion 2| is 5 disposed in a transverse position, extending laterally outwardly from the rear end of the top bar, and another portion 22 extends forwardly from the portion 2| on a longitudinal incurve to a point adjacent the front end of the top bar. Said portion or arm 2| has a forwardly bent end forming an axis pin 23 which is turnably fitted in a suitable bore 24 provided for the purpose in the rear end of the top bar; and the portion or arm 22 has a rearwardly bent end forming an axis pin 25 which is turnably fitted in a bore 26 in the front end of the said top bar. The axis pins 23 and 25 are in alignment and serve as hinge pivots whereon to move the frame from elevated position, in which it supports the projectile, into lowered or folded position alongside the stock as illustrated in Fig. 4. The rear end of the top bar 20 is provided with a transversely extending notch 21 which receives the arm portion 2| lengthwise therein whereby to support the frame in elevated position, and it will be noted that the bore 24 in which the axis pin or end 23 is engaged, extends forwardly in the top from said notch 21. Inasmuch as the wire arm 2| has more or less resilient characteristics, it yields rearwardly in an obvious manner to permit the folding of the frame alongside the stock.

The trigger, designated in general by the reference character I), is herein shown as made in the form of a bell-crank lever and is provided at its angle 28 with an eyelet 29 which is turnably fitted in an outwardly projecting loop 30 integrally formed between the arm portions 2| and 22 of the wing. One arm 3| of this bell-crank trigger device extends inwardly toward the top bar and is formed with a downwardly offset portion 32 which is adapted to serve as a finger piece. The other arm 33 of the bell-crank is provided with an open notch 34 and a hook 35 facing inwardly toward the top bar when the frameis in elevated 5 position, as best shown in Fig. 5.

The impelling mechanism is represented in general at c and includes a wire element peculiarly bent and fashioned to produce an escapement pin 36, arm portions 31 and 38 disposed in parallel planes, a rectangular loop 39 connecting the arm portions 31 and 38, and an axis pin or end 40 turnably engaged in a suitable inclined bore or hearing 4| provided for the purpose in the upper front portion of the rear section I! of .the stock,

it being noted in this connection that the bearing 4| and hence the axis pin or end 40 are inclined forwardly at an angle with respect to the supporting surface for the projectile. It will be noted that the rectangular loop 39 is so formed that it has parallel front and rear sides 42 and 42', and that the arm 36 is integrally connected with the front side 42 while the arm 31 has connection with the rear side 42. A coiled tension spring 43 has one end thereof connected with the front side 42 of the rectangular loop while the opposite end of this spring is connected with an 7 eye 44 secured to the front free terminal 45 of the front section 6 of the stock. The spring 43 exerts a forwardly acting tension on the impelling element so that the latter will normally assume a position in which the escapement pin 36 will be located in a notch 46 provided in the underside of the top bar near the front end thereof. From this position, the impelling element may, by hand,

be drawn rearwardly until its escapement pin 36 can be entered in the notch 34 and engaged on the hook 35, thereby setting or cocking the impelling mechanism under the forwardly acting tension of the spring for effecting the discharge of a projectile upon actuating the trigger, which 5 latter operation is effected by pressing the thumb against the finger-piece 32 so as to move the arm 3| forwardly, with the resultthat the other arm 33 will be moved outwardly for the release of the escapement pin. It will be recognized that, 10 in practice, a suitable rubber band may be used as the tensioning member in place of the spring 43.

At this point, attention is particularly directed to the fact that the parts are so related and the 15 impelling element so mounted that the escapement pin, upon its release, will move in a curvilinear path from the full line position to the dotdash line position illustrated in Fig. 2. Under this arrangement, the free top end of the escapement 20 pin, in following the curvilinear path, moves from a position in which it projects well above the top surface of the top bar and wing, to a position within the open notch 46 in which it is below such top surfaces. Upon being released from the hook, 25 the impelling element moves on such a downward spiral course that the free top end of the escapement pin at a point near the forward ends of the top bar and frame, will quickly pass downwardly on a curve to a position below the top 30 surfaces of the top bar and frame and thereafter upwardly for a distance.

The notch 46 is open at both ends so that the escapement pin 36 may pass freely therethrough transversely of the top bar 20. The spring-actu- 35 ated impelling element cannot, therefore, impinge with any part so as to become bent or deformed. In this arrangement, the tension spring 43 may be said to have a double-action effect, since it not only draws the impelling element, when released 40 from the hook, into its forward position in which the escapement pin is within the notch 46 as shown in dash-dot lines in Fig. 2, but it also serves as a tensioning stop or a kind of shock absorber for arresting the impelling member and 45 bringing it resiliently and quietly to rest. Due to the forwardly acting tension of the spring, the impelling element tends naturally on its forward stroke to swing across the plane of the spring and to pass the escapement pin through the notch 50 to the opposite side of the top bar, thereby tensioning the spring toward that side and effecting a shock absorbing action which results in bringingthe impelling element to rest in its prescribed forward terminal without clashing with a fixed 55 stop.

A large missile or projectile of the kind suitable for use with my improved pistol or shooter is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the first-named figure showing the obverse side containing a pic- 60 ture, while the second-named figure shows the reverse side bearing an advertisement. This disk may be produced from cardboard or other suitable material that will be harmless when shot from the gun. It is provided near its circumfer- 65 ence with one or more eyes 48. This projectile is placed flatwise upon the top surface of the wing and top bar with the escapement pin projecting upwardly through one of the eyes 48, and with its circumferential edge at a point opposite the escapement pin contacting underneath the forwardly offset portion 49 of a pivoted retaining or positioning wire 50 which extends forwardly along the top surface of the bar 20 and to the front end thereof. This wire may be said 75 to act as a stabilizer. for the projectile.

In practicega simple spring may be used to perform the function of this wire. In the present embodiment, said wire 5i! extends downwardly along the right-hand side of the bar 26 and is made with an inbent portion 5i having turning fit in a suitable bore provided transversely in said bar. This pivoted pin 56 is so formed and arranged that its offset portion 69 is spaced above the top surface of the bar 26 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the disk, while the forward end of this wire rests upon the top surface of the bar. In connection with the top surface of the bar 20, the pivoted wire 50 serves to retain, guide and stabilize the projectile-in its proper course when it is being discharged from the gun, it being obvious'that this wire under the projection of the missile will freely rise to permit the discharge of the projectile under the force supplied by the impelling mechanism. Due to the curvilinear path traversed by the escapement pin the projectile'which is engaged therewith through its eye 48," is given arapid rotary movement which of course continues after the projectile leaves the gun. Just before the projectile leaves the forward end' of the gun and before the guiding influence of the top bar and wire 59 have ceased, the escapement pin in following its curvilinear path is withdrawn from the eye 48. In this connection, it is in place to remark that the projectile, just prior to its discharge from the gun, assumes a position in which a line of its diameter is substantially in alignment with the straight sighting edge 52 provided for the purpose along the top left-hand side of the bar 20. Therefore, by holding the pistol in such position that the sighting edge 52 will be substantially in line with an object or target, the projectile will be discharged in a position in which it will continue its course toward the target.

The projectiles may be made in various shapes and of any suitable material. In view of their size, theyprovide large obverse and reverse faces on which to display advertisements for the promotion of business, messages, pictures, legends or any desired information.

It is characteristic of my invention that the impelling element in discharging a projectile moves in a curvilinear path with respect to the horizontal plane or surface on which the projectile is rotated and given projectile force so as to continue its motion by its own inertia.

Other modes of applying the principles of my invention may be employed, instead of the selected one herein given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as I desire to avail myself of all adaptations and modifications permitted to me within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:- 7

1. A catapult device for impelling flat-bodied projectiles, said device having means for supporting the projectile flatwise in a plane for its impelling action, a releasable impelling member 7 having a free end portion for engaging and impelling the projectile on the supporting means and which is withdraw-able from the projectile 70.

adjacent the discharge end of the supporting means, said member with respect to the plane in which the projectile is supported for its impelling action, being mounted to move on a curvilinear path downwardly and transversely inwardly from adjacent the beginning of its impelling movement to its'withdraw-al from the projectile at such discharge end.

2. A catapult device for impelling fiat-bodied. projectiles, said device having a lateral wing for supporting the projectile flatwise and which is i surface of the wing at the point of discharge, and

a tensioned member for causing the impelling operation, said tensioned member being connected with said first-named member so as to serve as a shock-absorbing device adapted to arrest and limit the impelling stroke adjacent said point 1 of discharge.

3. A catapult device having, in combination. a stock, a wing pivoted thereto adjacent one edge and movable to a plane at right angles to the plane of the stock for supporting a flat-bodied projectile in flatwise position for discharge, means on the stock for securing the wing in such position, an impelling member pivoted to -move about a center, a pin movable with the impelling member for impelling the projectile on said wing and having for withdrawal from the projectile, a free end moving with respect to the wing on a descending curve from a point at the lateral side of the Wing opposite the stock to an inward discharge point below the surface of the wing, a spring acting to cause the impelling movement and connected to be moved by said member with respect to the center about which said member moves and alone effective to resiliently arrest said member at the proximate end of the impelling stroke. a

4. A catapult device for impelling fiat-bodied projectiles comprising a lateral wing and a handle member pivotally connected in a longitudinal direction along one side of the wing, the opposite side of the wing receding to a discharge end, a releasable impelling device for impelling the projectile flatwise on the wing to said discharge end and pivoted on one of said members for movement on a descending curvilinear path along the receding side of said wing and to a point at which it releases the impelled projectile adjacent said discharge end, a tensioned member acting on the impelling device, a trigger device for holding said impelling device under tension and also for releasing the same, said impelling device on its impelling action being effective to swing beyond said discharge end and wing and automatically move back a distance under the resilient action of the tensioned member.

5. A catapult device for impelling flat-bodied projectiles comprising a stock, with an elongated top bar in the plane thereof, said bar having a free forward end, an elongated wing pivotally connected with the bar so as to provide for the wing at one longitudinal edge thereof, a longitudinal hinge axis on which to move the wing into a position substantially at right angles to the plane of the stock whereby to support a projectile for discharge, the opposite edge of the wing being curved and curving toward the free forward end of the bar, impelling means mounted on the stock for impelling movement and havingan impelling member movable along the curving edge of mowing, and releasable means for holding said impelling member under tension and so connected that when said impelling member is under tension, said wing will be in position for the discharge of a projectile and that when said impelling member is released the wing may be displaced to a position in which it lies flatwise alongside said stock.

6. In a catapult device, the combination with a stock and pivoted wing, the latter in one direction forming a supporting surface for guiding a projectile, of a pivoted impelling member having an escapement end for impelling the projectile on said surface and movable on a curvilinear path downwardly and transversely inwardly from the remote side of the wing to a discharge point adjacent the line of pivotal connection between the stock and wing, which escapement end is withdrawable from the projectile as it moves to said discharge point, a tension spring for causing the impelling actuation of said member, said spring being connected with said member to arrest the impetus of the impelling stroke thereof in timed relation to the withdrawal of said escapement end from the projectile.

7. In a catapult device for impelling projectiles, a stock with a projecting head bar, a frame pivoted to the head bar and movable into a position in which it lies substantially in the horizontal plane of the bar to form therewith a projector plane, a trigger-operated catch on the frame, a spring-actuated impelling device engageable with the catch and adapted, when released thereby, to impel a projectile on the projector plane, said device having for such purpose an escapement end which is withdrawable from the propelled projectile during the propulsion thereof, and means pivotally mounting said impelling device to swing it on a spiral curve from said catch to move the escapement end downwardly on said curve and across the plane of the projector surface.

8. In a catapult device for impelling projectiles, a stock and a lateral wing at one side thereof forming a projector plane on which to impel a projectile, a trigger-releasable springactuated impelling member pivoted to move in a descending curve from the outer side of the wing transversely inwardly to the point of discharge, a pin movable with the movable member for impelling the projectile on said projector plane and having for withdrawal from the projectile a free end which comes below the projector plane near said point of discharge, and a guide pivoted for movement relatively to the wing, said guide being engageable by the projectile to direct the latter in a prescribed course upon the projector plane.

MAX 0. CLAUSS. 

